“Busy morning?” Harmony asked.
Alba’s eyes flicked to the waterfront, and she sighed. “A wedding party came over on the eight A.M., a bachelor party on the nine, and the gossip train rolled in at nine-thirty.” She winked. “You know how it is.”
Harmony accepted the cups when they were ready, condensation slick beneath her fingers. Beside her, Cass stared out the door, eyes narrowing as she cataloged faces.
“Don’t stare too hard,” Harmony warned.
“I’m not staring. I’m anticipating.” Cass took a long sip.
Harmony looked out at the sea of people and tried to shake off the unease. Her latest book release had stalled. Her divorce was freshly final. The loss of her lifelong friend hovered in every quiet moment. They were all blows she hadn’t yet recovered from. She’d come to the island to forget the pain and find herself again, but she wasn’t sure where to start. She wasn’t used to this much loss.
Cass gave her a look—one that knew, but didn’t press. She reached out and rubbed Harmony’s back. She looked over Harmony’s shoulder, and brightness slid over her features.
“Yay, Tosh is here!” Cass clapped, tugging Harmony from the coffee shop toward the outside tables that were buzzing with voices and fingers on keyboards.
Tosh wasn’t hard to spot. He wore a crisp blue button-down shirt, a tan that never seemed to fade, and a smile that said he always won because he wrote the rules. He walked with the easy confidence of a man who closed deals while laughing. A slim brunette in oversized sunglasses clung to his arm. Harmonyrecognized Lisa from photos—glossy hair, dancer’s posture, a delicate diamond at her throat catching both sunlight and attention.
Tosh spotted Cass and changed direction without breaking stride.
“Ladies,” he said, as if they’d kept him waiting. “Do you bring the sunshine, or do you simply hoard it?”
“Hi, Tosh,” Cass practically sang, bouncing before leaning in for a hug. “The other half of Avalon’s favorite invasion has arrived.” She bumped his hip, raising her arms in a small cheer.
“I’ve missed you both.” Tosh’s eyes sparkled. “Welcome back.”
“Good to be back,” Harmony said with more reserve. “I see you’ve kept the island running while we were gone.”
“Someone has to,” he said, amused. “Lisa, this is Cass and Harmony. Cass keeps everyone on their toes . . . or knees.” He winked as Cass preened. “Harmony watches people like they’re on the witness stand, and writes about dangerous people.”
Lisa slid off her sunglasses. Her smile was pretty, but careful—a girlfriend assessing two women who clearly mattered to Tosh. Harmony caught it and understood. No judgment. Just data.
“Dangerous people?” Lisa asked. “Sounds interesting. How do you find them?”
“I haven’t run out of material yet,” Harmony replied. “So clearly danger is all around us.”
“Don’t encourage her,” Cass said. “She’ll kill us all off in a book and change our names by one letter. She’s ended Tosh’s life many times in various, brutal ways.”
Harmony winked, confirming without confirming.
“Once I do that, though, you’ll complain that I made you too attractive,” Harmony said.
Lisa laughed, finally relaxing. “Impossible. Make me a goddess, please. I want to be eternal.”
Her fingers tightened on Tosh’s arm, a tiny, instinctive claim. Harmony filed it away like she did everything else, stacking observations like smooth stones.
The crowd shifted, and another familiar voice broke through.
“Tell me someone ordered a muffin big enough to marry.”
Candy swept in, all bracelets and glitter-streaked hair, guitar strap slung proudly across her body. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and a tad too shiny. She kissed Alba’s cheek, then draped herself dramatically against the counter.
“Harmony! The good witch is back.” Candy’s glassy gaze warmed. “Play me something I can live inside.”
“I don’t play,” Harmony said. “I record.”
“Same instrument,” Candy replied, tapping her temple. “Different skill sets.”
“Candy,” Tosh said, fond and exasperated. “It’s far too early for trouble.”
